Wilson in prostate cancer treatment

Former goalkeeper and veteran broadcaster Bob Wilson is to undergo treatment for prostate cancer.

The 72 year old, who played for Arsenal in the 1960s and 70s and was capped by Scotland, has cancelled forthcoming work and charity commitments in the near future, including those for the Willow Foundation that he founded with his wife Megs.

The pundit, who retired from playing in 1974 but took up a coaching role with Arsenal for several years, was at Wembley for yesterday's FA Cup semi-final between the Gunners and Wigan Athletic. He is planning to return to public life as soon as possible, he said.

Wilson, also a BBC and ITV television presenter, said: "I am very confident that the treatment I am receiving will prove successful and kindly ask that my privacy is respected at this time."

His son, BBC Radio 4 presenter John Wilson, said: "Knowing how strong my dad is, I have every faith he will be back to match fitness very soon indeed."

Wilson's daughter, Anne, died in 1998 aged 31 after succumbing to a rare form of cancer.

Her widower, 44-year-old Mitchell Carey, died in 2010 in hospital from an acute bout of food poisoning.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK, although the numbers of those with the disease is on the rise.

Every year in the UK more than 40,000 men are struck with prostate cancer.

Around 250,000 are currently living with the disease, with symptoms including frequent trips to the toilet, pain during sex and reduced flow of urine.

However, not all men diagnosed with prostate cancer have symptoms, meaning it is important to speak regularly with doctors.

Promoted stories

"A key figure in the football world, he has already been affected by the tragic consequences of cancer, and his tireless work for the Willow Foundation, set up in the memory of his late daughter, continues to this day.

"It says everything of the man that he has already pledged to return to those efforts as soon as he can.

"Prostate cancer is an opponent like no other. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK and affects one in eight men in the UK. Our Men United v Prostate Cancer campaign aims to raise awareness and intensify the search for more reliable tests and treatments.

"The football family stands behind Bob, and we offer him and his family our support and best wishes at this important time."

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standardards Organisations's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a compaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here